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    'Dancing with the Stars:' The truth about Louis. Plus, Ian Ziering's '90210' cheerleader

    Posted by Laura Saltman March 07 at 04:18 PM | Comments (21)

  • Last week, I reported that fan favorite Ashly DelGrosso would not be returning this season to DANCING WITH THE STARS because she was pregnant with her first child, due in July. Today, I can tell you why Louis Van Amstel (who hoofed it with Monique Coleman, Lisa Rinna and "Bachelorette" Trista Rehn in previous seasons) will not be returning to the show.


    Louis gave a reason for his absence to fans via his official website, "As you may have already heard, the couples for season 4 of DWTS have been announced and guess what…I'm not one of them. I got the first call early last week that I wasn't going to have a celebrity dance partner this season, due to the simple fact that by sheer chance, all the female celebrities are 5' 9'' or taller. Since I am 5' 8'', I am unlucky this season."

    An inside source close to DWTS told ACCESS HOLLYWOOD that Van Amstel was not asked back not because of a height issue but because he had turned into a complete diva during the recent tour. Van Amstel was the tour's choreographer and is said to have been angry that he had to share those responsibilities with judge, Carrie Ann Inaba who is herself a choreographer. Louis and Carrie Ann apparently butted heads the entire time and dancers on the tour are said to have been seen crying and threatening to quit under Van Amstel's tutelage.

    According to the source, the last month of the tour the troubles eased up but the damage had already been done so Van Amstel was not given a celebrity partner. It is possible he may return on an as needed basis as a choreographer only for results show dances.

    Meanwhile, Shaun Robinson met up with last season's champ Cheryl Burke and her new celebrity partner, Ian Ziering, "Cheryl has brought the winner out in her past two partners and yeah, there is a lot of pressure on me to rise to the level of success that she has been able to obtain with the other guys.'

    Working with a BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 star is right up Cheryl's alley, "I love Steve Sanders. Actually, this is the first guy that I know actually out of the two seasons of DANCING WITH THE STARS who I am dancing with so it's really exciting for me." Cheryl was even sporting a class of '93 BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 t-shirt when we were there at their rehearsal, "I told him that he needs to make sure that all these faces are signed by the end of the season."

    So far it looks like one former cast member will be rooting for Ian, "Jenny Garth calls me every day and leaves a message on my phone. She is dying to come. She is so excited to see me dance."

Comments

Love this story. I love Dancing With the Stars!!

Posted by: Catherine Blakey | March 8, 2007 12:17 PM

when will billy bush's song be on i-tunes? Would love to hear the entire song and use it at a wedding for a first dance.

Posted by: jane herrmann | March 8, 2007 02:08 PM

In my opinion, Louis is the best dancer on the show and will be missed by many people.

Everyone has their differences but I think not having Louis on the show is a bad move by DWTS.

Louis did not win all of these championships listed below on luck alone and I think being a perfectionist is just part of the way he is.

1990, Dutch Latin Champion
Finalists in the Blackpool "under 21" category

German Open, bronze medal

World Latin, bronze medal

1991, Dutch Latin Champion

1994, World Amateur Latin Champion

1995, World Amateur Latin Champion

1995, European Amateur Latin Champion

1995, Amateur Grand-Slam Winners (Uk-Champion, British Champion, International Champion, European and World Champion)

Professional since November 1995

1996, World Professional Showdance Champion

2000, Professional World Latin Finalist

2000, U.S. National Latin Champion

2000, Can-Am Dancesport Gala-Canadian Open Professional Championships: 1st place in Open Professional Latin

2000, International Latin Division Japan International Dancing Championships: 1st place in Professional Latin

2000, Emerald Ball Dancesport Championships: 1st place in Open Professional Latin

Posted by: Shawn | March 9, 2007 12:42 AM

Bummer! I love watching Louie dance. He is amazing and I hope they bring him back next season! I'm sure Lisa Rinna and Monique Coleman will agree. He will be missed this round.

Posted by: Betsy Lott | March 13, 2007 01:46 AM

I do not think that the Mills should be on the show. Her disability will distract from
the show and I find it hard to
believe that this woman could
do a fast-step. Sorry lady, but I cannot stand you.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 13, 2007 09:11 PM

I AM VERY SORRY THAT LOUIS WILL NOT BE WITH DANCING WITH THE STARS. HE IS AN EXCELLENT PROFESSIONAL DANCER.

Posted by: ruth prager | March 14, 2007 10:50 AM

Ugh, heres the source! OK here is my two bits.

I highly doubt that the issue was as bad as the story says. Everyone has power struggles andarguments, but this makes it sound like DWTS war 1! I agree with the party that posted all of Louis' achievements up there. BAD MOVE DWTS!!! BAAAAD MOVE! I know a lot of fans of Louis and they won't be happy...

People have flaws, don't pick on them for that. Louis is an amazing dancer and sure as the frustration I'm feeling right now, he'll be back.

Ugh, what a way to ruin a day.

Posted by: Angry Louis V.A fan | March 14, 2007 07:49 PM

I agree with everyone and Louis was one of the brightest professional talents in the show. He brought out the best in his partners. The show will definitely have a void without his presence. I am sorry that decsion was made.

Posted by: PK in the CUSE | March 17, 2007 09:29 AM

There's a new dancer who seems short. Did they get a short dancer just to spite Louis VA?

Posted by: marco | March 19, 2007 10:46 PM

I believe that the rumor about louis is bogus. he is a wonderful dancer and I have heard nothing but praise about him. I watched the show last night and I just couldn't get into the way i have in past seasons because of the absence of louis...DWTS made a bad choice not giving him a partner...

Posted by: louis #1 fan | March 20, 2007 03:23 PM

I thought Louis was one of the best dancers and certainly one of my favorites! I will miss him too. He is awesome and nice to look at too! PLEASE bring him back.

Posted by: Wendy | March 22, 2007 09:24 PM

Louis was my favorite dancer, he was the best dancer as far as I was concerned, I will really miss him this year and hope he will be back next year.

Posted by: JANE SPEER | March 26, 2007 05:42 PM

I hated watching Louis, I'm glad he is gone!!!

Posted by: Marie | March 28, 2007 01:47 PM

otay, heres the sitchiation I see here,

My friend is a hee-uge louis fan. and I know there are a tone of other people who also watched the show just for louis mad skilz. so I think dwts is making a bad career move as they will be losing over 1500000 votes and views.

I am a tv scientologist. I know that the rating will drop significantly if louis does not make a return to the show by next season.

They are dissappointing fans and my friend.

So get louis back on DWTS. Or you will regrett it.

Posted by: Amanda G. TV Scientologist | March 30, 2007 06:29 PM

I will continue to watch DWTS; however, Louie most definitely makes the show complete. He is a fantastic dancer. What were they thinking??????

Posted by: Jeanne | April 2, 2007 03:04 PM

Hello,

We wanted to let you know that the Hugo Boss tie that Billy Bush wore while hosting "Access Hollywood"is currently up for auction along with the gowns, shoes, and make-up looks from the recent MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show at:

www.clothesoffourback.org along with other celebrity items.

Proceeds benefit children's charities. Please bid and pass along the information.

The auction for Billy’s tie ends April 17th & the auction for the items from the MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show end April 5th.

Thank you!

Clothes Off Our Back

Posted by: CLOTHES OFF OUR BACK | April 3, 2007 01:25 PM

A BUNCH OF BALONEY!!!!! FALSE INFORMATION EVERYONE!!! Some one is lying. Louis said on his blog that it WAS height and nothing like that ever happened!! See www.dancingwithlouis.com, I think that the man himself should know the truth!!! A big misconception, everyone! Nothing to see here......

Posted by: Louis V.A's advocate | April 17, 2007 07:25 PM

Hello,

I was one of the makeup artists on DWTS on tour. There was absolutely NO diva behavior on behaf of Mr. Van Amstel. That is a lie.

Bring back Louis! He is such a sweetheart!

XOXO Lilian

Posted by: Lilian Finkleman | April 17, 2007 07:30 PM

I just read that Louis will be doing the choreography as well as performing in the DWTS summer tour.

I guess that blows your diva theory.

Posted by: Louis Fan | May 7, 2007 03:53 PM

Ian is a great dancer! I saw the clip of your interview with them on television, I was wondering is that clip available to see on this access hollywood site? I can't seem to find it!

Posted by: nancy | May 25, 2007 10:06 PM

I really missed Louia this past season. He is by far the best professional dancer on the show in my opinion. He was excellent with Monique and their Rumba and Paso Doble stands out as a performance with innovation. I hope DWTS brings him back. The height issue does not seem to be a hinderance given my observation of the height of some of the women...perhaps I am mistaken, yet, whatever the issue, I hope to see Louis back on the show.

Posted by: Alita | August 19, 2007 05:56 AM


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